Researchers at São Paulo State University’s Institute of Geosciences and Exact Sciences have developed a new method to quantify entanglement, a key property in quantum computing. The study, led by Professor Valdeci Mariano de Souza, demonstrated that entanglement is maximized near quantum critical points, challenging the Hellmann-Feynman theorem. The findings could impact quantum computing, a field seeing rapid advancements from tech giants like Google and IBM. The research was supported by FAPESP and also involved contributions from Lucas Squillante, Antonio Seridonio, Roberto Lagos-Monaco, Luciano Ricco, and Aniekan Magnus Ukpong.
Quantum Entanglement and Its Importance in Quantum Computing
Quantum entanglement, a property of quantum physics, is crucial to the efficiency of quantum computing. This phenomenon occurs when two or more systems interact in such a way that their quantum states cannot be described independently. The higher the degree of entanglement, the more optimized and efficient the quantum computer becomes.
Novel Method to Quantify Entanglement
A study conducted by researchers from the Department of Physics at São Paulo State University’s Institute of Geosciences and Exact Sciences (IGCE-UNESP) in Rio Claro, Brazil, tested a new method of quantifying entanglement and the conditions for its maximization. This research could be instrumental in optimizing the construction of a quantum computer. The study was published as a Letter in Physical Review B.
Breakdown of the Hellmann-Feynman Theorem
The study demonstrated how the Hellmann-Feynman theorem, a fundamental part of quantum mechanics used across various disciplines, breaks down under specific conditions. The theorem describes the dependence of the system’s own energy on a control parameter. The researchers proposed a quantum analog of the Grüneisen parameter, widely used in thermodynamics, to explore finite temperature and quantum critical points. This quantum Grüneisen parameter quantifies entanglement in relation to a control parameter, such as a magnetic field or a certain level of pressure.
Impact on Quantum Computing
The results of this study could have a significant impact on quantum computing. As the power of classical computers cannot continue to grow indefinitely, quantum computing, which superimposes states and significantly increases processing capacity, is progressing rapidly. Tech giants like Google and IBM are at the forefront of these advancements. The study was proposed and designed by Valdeci Mariano de Souza, a professor at IGCE-UNESP, with significant contributions from Lucas Squillante, a postdoctoral researcher he supervises.
The study also involved collaborators Antonio Seridonio (UNESP Ilha Solteira), Roberto Lagos-Monaco (UNESP Rio Claro), Luciano Ricco (University of Iceland), and Aniekan Magnus Ukpong (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). The research leading to the production of the article was supported by FAPESP via projects 11/22050-4 and 18/09413-0.
The Article and Its Findings
The article, titled “Grüneisen parameter as an entanglement compass and the breakdown of the Hellmann-Feynman theorem,” demonstrates that entanglement will be maximized in the vicinity of quantum critical points and that the Hellmann-Feynman theorem breaks down at a critical point. This research contributes to basic research in physics and could have a direct impact on the development of quantum computing.
“Simply put, we propose a quantum analog of the Grüneisen parameter widely used in thermodynamics to explore finite temperature and quantum critical points. In our proposal, the quantum Grüneisen parameter quantifies entanglement, or von Neumann entropy, in relation to a control parameter, which may be a magnetic field or a certain level of pressure, for example,” Valdeci Mariano de Souza, last author of the article and a professor at IGCE-UNESP, told Agência FAPESP. “Using our proposal, we demonstrate that entanglement will be maximized in the vicinity of quantum critical points and that the Hellmann-Feynman theorem breaks down at a critical point.”
“For Souza, the results contribute to basic research in physics and could also have a direct impact on quantum computing. Recalling Intel cofounder Gordon Moore’s 1965 prediction that the number of transistors used in conventional computers would double every two years, he said this rapid growth in the power of classical computers cannot last, while recent technological advances are enabling quantum computing to progress by leaps and bounds, with giants like Google and IBM in the lead.”
“In conventional computing, binary language in terms of zeroes and ones is used to process information. Quantum mechanics, however, superimposes states and hugely increases processing capacity. Hence the growing interest in research on quantum entanglement,” he explained.
Summary
Researchers at São Paulo State University have developed a new method to quantify and maximise entanglement, a key property of quantum physics that enhances the efficiency of quantum computers. The study also revealed that the Hellmann-Feynman theorem, a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics, breaks down under certain conditions, which could have significant implications for quantum computing.
- Researchers from the Department of Physics at São Paulo State University’s Institute of Geosciences and Exact Sciences (IGCE-UNESP) in Brazil have developed a new method to quantify entanglement in quantum computing.
- Entanglement, a property of quantum physics where two or more systems interact so their quantum states cannot be described independently, is crucial for the efficiency of quantum computers.
- The study, led by Professor Valdeci Mariano de Souza, demonstrated that entanglement is maximised near quantum critical points, and that the Hellmann-Feynman theorem, a key part of quantum mechanics, breaks down at these points.
- The research could have significant implications for the development of quantum computing, which is advancing rapidly with companies like Google and IBM leading the way.
- The study was also contributed to by Lucas Squillante, Antonio Seridonio, Roberto Lagos-Monaco, Luciano Ricco, and Aniekan Magnus Ukpong.
- The research was supported by FAPESP and published in Physical Review B.